The Hundred Men at Detroit River will afford a Detachment towards the Rapids of St. Mary. Probably Cariboux Island will be the best Station for them.

The object is, to form, within our Frontier a Rendezvous for the Indian Traders (returning with Furs from their wintering grounds round Lake Michigan and near the Mississippi) where they may meet the Merchants, or their agents from Lower Canada, discharge past credits with their Peltries, and receive a fresh supply of goods for the ensuing winter; this commerce has hitherto been carried on at Michilimackinac during the whole of the month of June, at which time about eight hundred persons are thus assembled, besides Indians of various Tribes who resort to the Rendezvous for presents, or for news and sometimes. to make Peace under the King's Protection.

It may be necessary to build a Blockhouse on Cariboux Island; but for the present I have ordered there only an officer and a few men. An Engineer is to go up and view the spot, and make his Report before anything more is directed. He will also view the Rapids of St. Mary, and Report on that Passage and the adjacent Country, and afterwards give his advice to the Gentlemen of the North West Trade who purpose making a Road within the Frontier for the convenience of transporting their goods over the Carrying Place.

The Transport of the King's Stores being greatly lessened by the bringing down of the Troops, the Marine on the Lakes will of course be reduced in proportion, but not too suddenly lest inconvenience might arise from a want of sufficient Transport during the present Season.

I inclose a Sketch of the Rapids of St. Mary, comprehending Cariboux Island and Michilimackinac, together with one of part of the entrance of Detroit River and two of the River Niagara, which (with a map delivered into the Secretary of States office in the year 91, of the Province of Quebec, extending from the Sea to the Mississippi) will elucidate all the arrangements for Upper Canada.

I am with great Regard & Esteem My Lord
Your Grace's Most obedient humble servant.

His Grace The Duke of Portland, &c. &c. &c.

Endorsed: Quebec, 16th April 1796.

Lord Dorchester.

R. 11th June. Aned. 3d Augt. No. 87. (Eight Inclosures.)

[Q 75-1, p 246]

DORCHESTER.

SIR,

LORD DORCHESTER TO COL. A. MC KEE.

QUEBEC, 23d April 1796. Circumstances have arisen, which will probably for a time delay the Evacuation of the Upper Posts, among which some relating to the Interests of the Indians do not appear the least important.

By the Eighth Article of the Treaty entered into, the 3d August last, between Mr. Wayne and them, it is stipulated that no person shall be allowed to reside among or to trade with these Indian Tribes, unless they be furnished with a Licence from the Government of the United States, and that every person so trading, shall be delivered up by the Indians to an American Superintendant, to be dealt with according to Law, which is inconsistent with the third article of the Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation, previously concluded between His Majesty and the United States, by which it is agreed, that "it shall at all times be free to His Majesty's "Subjects and to the Citizens of the United States, and also to the Indians, dwelling on either side of the Boundary Line, freely to

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pass and re-pass by land or Inland Navigation into the respective "Territories and Countries of the two parties on the Continent of "America (the Country Within the Limits of the Hudson's Bay Company only excepted) and to navigate the Lakes, Rivers, and. Waters "thereof, and freely to carry on Trade and Commerce with each "other."

Previously therefore to the actual execution of the Treaty on our part, it is requisite that we should be convinced that the stipulations entered into by the United States will also be fulfilled by them and on a Point so interesting to His Majesty's Subjects, and more especially to the Indians, it is indispensably necessary that all doubts and misconseptions should be removed. His Majesty's Minister at Philadelphia is accordingly instructed to require an explanation on this subject. Till therefore the same shall be satisfactorily terminated I shall delay the surrender of the Posts.

These matters you will be pleased to explain to the Indians, pointing out to them at the same time the benevolent care & regard always manifested towards them by the King their Father, and particularly the attention that has been shewn to their Interests on the present occasion.

SIR,

JAMES MC HENRY, SEC'Y OF WAR, TO LORD DORCHESTER.

WAR OFFICE, May 10th 1796.

I have the honor to communicate to Your Lordship, that the Provisions required on the part of the United States, by the Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, between His Britannic Majesty and the United States of America, have been duly made by Government, with which the President has instructed me to inform you.

It has been also given to me in charge to mention, that, in conformity to the second Article of the said Treaty, detachments from the Army of the United States are ordered to be put in motion, to take possession of the Posts to be evacuated. In the mean while, Captain Lewis, who will have the honor to present this Letter, is authorized to receive from your Lordship, and transmit to these Detachments, a duplicate of the orders for their Evacuation, and to concur in arrangements, relative to this object, if such concurrence shall be in any particular necessary.

Permit me on this occasion to express to Your Lordship, the pleasure I experience in contemplating the beneficial consequences, that may be expected to flow from an instrument, that establishes between the two nations, and their Inhabitants, good understanding and friendly intercourse, so essential to their mutual prosperity, and which it is the wish of the United States to render perpetual. With the greatest respect I have the honor to be Your Lordship's most obedient Servant

I do myself the honor of acknowledging your Lordship's Letter No. 48.

Your Lordship as Commander in Chief is undoubtedly the only Person who in a Military view can Judge, what disposition of Troops the present posture of the King's Affairs requires; and as an Officer I have nothing but to obey.